Christmas is a time of family traditions. For some families, this means gathering on Christmas Eve for a meal and exchanging gifts. Certain ethnic communities have special celebrations with particular food and rituals. For others, the tradition includes singing Christmas carols or going to Midnight Mass together. When there are small children, there is a particular joy to Christmas morning that fills the house with love.

Traditions are important to us because they connect us to something bigger than ourselves. They are passed down from generation to generation, and so at some point, their origins can be forgotten or lost completely. Yet, many of us continue these traditions as a way of expressing our belonging to our family or our larger community.

While there are great cultural and familial expressions of what Christmas means to us, we should never lose sight of why we began to celebrate in the first place: For God so loved the world, that He sent His only Son that everyone who believes in Him might not perish but might have eternal life (Jn. 3:16). Our cause for celebrating and rejoicing is that Love has come into the world in human form for me! He is with us! He is with me!

We are joyful because we are with those we love; we are joyful because we can share a meal, a gift, or even just a smile with someone we love. But if we search the deepest part of our heart, we see that our joy is because that baby born in Bethlehem 2,000 years ago changed my life. Because he was born, I know beyond the shadow of a doubt that God’s love for me has no limits.

Another way of looking at this great event is to see to whom the angels announced the birth: the shepherds. Shepherds were called to be with their sheep all day, every day, out in the fields. They were not powerful or influential. Oftentimes, they were socially unacceptable because of the smell that spending that much time with the sheep caused. But, they are the ones who hear the “good news of great joy!” (Lk. 2:10).

The invitation to the shepherds to come and be with the newborn Jesus — to gaze with Mary and Joseph at the great work of God’s love — is extended to you and me. We are called to receive this same word in the deepest part of our hearts summoning us to the crib this Christmastide. No sin, no past hurt, no future concern should hold us back from gazing on Jesus and giving thanks to the Father for his gift.

Brothers and Sisters, we have begun the Year of Mercy. What better way to celebrate with your family and friends this time of year than by making a pilgrimage to the Door of Mercy at Blessed Sacrament Cathedral. This is why Jesus came into the world, that you might have eternal life. Accept his promise of eternal life; accept his mercy!

May you and your family have a wonderful and blessed Christmas. May the Father bring you great joy as you celebrate the birth of his Son. And may you be filled with abundant blessings and peace in the New Year.

Sincerely Yours in Christ,

Allen H. Vigneron

The Most Reverend Allen H. Vigneron

Archbishop of Detroit